William Ragsdale Movies
Lead actor, onscreen from the late '80s. ~ All Movie Guide
Her faith shaken by a family tragedy from which she was never quite able to fully recover, a professor of theology from Louisiana State University moonlighting as a debunker of unexplained religious phenomena finds herself faced with an apocalyptic series of events that seem to reflect the ten plagues of Exodus in director Stephen Hopkins' Southern gothic chiller. The terrified citizens of Haven, LA, have been beset by swarms of locusts and watched as rivers turned to blood. As if that wasn't enough to put the fear of God into any Bible-reading Christian, ominous rumors of a local swamp cult have left many of the small-town citizens turning to prayer for fear that the end is finally nigh. Enter Katherine Winter (Hilary Swank), a skeptical myth-buster and renowned theology scholar with a special knack for spotting religious trickery. Though at first exceedingly confident that she will uncover a human component behind the otherworldly occurrences, Katherine quickly learns that just because one doesn't believe in the supernatural doesn't necessarily mean that it doesn't exist. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hilary Swank, David Morrissey, (more)
Written and directed by Ian Gurvitz, the comedy/drama LA Blues follows a police detective who attempts to unravel why a man has attempted to kill himself. Soon she interviews a man who knew what was going on in the man's life, and eventually the officer and the audience learn about the problems of a group of male friends. The ensemble cast includes Anthony Michael Hall, Nicholas D'Agosto, William Ragsdale, and Dave Foley. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Michael Hall, Dave Foley, (more)
An FBI agent finds himself crossing the gender line again in the name of national security in this sequel to the comedy hit Big Momma's House. Tom Fuller (Mark Moses) is a computer whiz who is under investigation by the FBI, who suspect he may be the man behind a dangerous piece of underground software that would allow terrorists and criminals to access secured intelligence files online. The Bureau is looking for a way to get inside Fuller's home to find out what he's doing when a golden opportunity presents itself -- Fuller and his wife, Leah (Emily Procter), are in the market for a nanny to help look after their three children. The FBI sends in Malcolm Turner (Martin Lawrence), who will once again impersonate feisty septuagenarian Hattie Mae Pierce, better known as "Big Momma." "Big Momma" gets the job, but while trying to dig up the truth about Fuller's possible criminal connections, Malcolm also finds himself developing a close relationship with the suspect's wife and kids. Malcolm also finds himself offering unlikely romantic advice to his new partner, Kevin (Zachary Levi), and developing a new appreciation of the day-to-day travails of his wife, Sherrie (Nia Long). ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Martin Lawrence, Nia Long, (more)
- 2005
Moving from the Big City to a cloistered suburban community, Violet Jacobs (Christy Carlson Romano) suffers the shock of being a fish out of water in her new high school, where the popular kids (cheerleaders, football jocks et. al.) are given all the breaks and the unpopular ones are treated like lepers--even by the teachers. The social hierarchy is so lopsided that those student on "the outside" don't even get to walk on the same side of the hallway as the "in crowd". Her sense of justice and fair play aroused, Violet teams up with another social outcast named Cordelia (Keri Lynn Pratt) and establishes "The Tattler", a school newspaper dedicated to exposing the awful truth about the "in" kids. Not surprisingly, this action sparks a number of crises, notably when Principal Glavin (Wiliam Ragsdale) declares his intention to close down the newspaper and build a health spa (!) in its place. . .and especially when one of Violet's spicy news items all but ruins the reputation of Brandon (Teddy Dunn), the boy she loves. Designed as a vehicle for Even Stevens costar Christy Carlson Romano (who also pulled double duty as the voice of animated teen heroine Kim Possible), the made-for-cable Campus Confidential debuted August 21, 2005 on the ABC Family channel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
This witty (and taste-tempting) made-for-cable updating of "Romeo and Juliet"--minus the bloodshed!-- takes place in Verona, New Jersey, where two families, bitter rivals since their origins in Italy, are in charge of the town's two most popular pizza parlors. Upon returning to Verona from college, Gina Prestolani (Shiri Appleby) is informed by her domineering dad Lou (Michael Badalucco) that, not only is she obliged to enter the family business, but he has also picked out her future husband! But Gina's heart already belongs to Joe Montebello (Eyal Podell), a talented pizza chef--and of course, the son of Lou's bitter enemy Vinnie Montebello (Dan Hedaya). This star-crossed romance is further complicated when the animosity between the Prestolanis and the Montebellos is amplified by the efforts of both families to expand their businesses. A near-tragedy involving everyone concerned proves to have a most therapeutic effect in the final moments of Pizza My Heart, which first aired July 24, 2005 on the ABC Family Channel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
This made-for-cable prequel to the popular 1997 comedy film Romy and Michele's High School Reunion was written by the same person who penned the original film, and stars Katherine Heigl and Alex Breckenridge respectively as Romy White and Michele Weinberger, the roles originated by Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino. Set in the decade before High School Reunion, Romy and Michele: In the Beginning finds our fresh-out-of-high-school heroines scrimping and saving to escape their hometown of Tucson, Arizona and land with both feet in Hollywood. It takes several years, but Romy and Michele finally arrive in La-La-Land, where in emulation of their favorite movie Pretty Woman they naively try to secure work as hookers! Fortunately they are rescued before "the worst" can happen by their new friend Donna (Alexandra Billings), who despite "her" name and appearance is actually a man in the process of becoming a woman. About to go on vacation, Donna allows the girls to live in his posh apartment, where they begin formulating their next scheme to get ahead in Tinseltown: namely, to gain access to the Ozone, the coolest nightclub in town. Along the way, the ladies meets their stud-muffin next door neighbor Taylor Bradley (Scott Vickaryous)--who, because of their association with Donna, assumes that Romy and Michele are female impersonators--and must contend with the velvety viciousness of nasty socialite Linda Fashiobella (Kelly Brook). Oh, and Paula Abdul shows up too. Romy and Michele: In the Beginning was first telecast by the ABC Family channel on May 30, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Less lurid than its title suggests, this made-for-TV movie was based on the true story of the trials and tribulations of three generations of New Orleans prostitutes. Ellen Burstyn stars as Tommie, matriarch of the "working girl" family which operates out of a brothel in an otherwise quiet, respectable neighborhood. Tommie is the domineering boss of her daughter Jeanette (Annabella Sciorra)), who had followed in mom's footsteps (so to speak) because she had no alternative. Conversely, Jeannette's daughter Monica (Dominique Swain) is showing signs of rebellion, hoping to break free from her grandmother's grasp for the sake of her own daughter Navaeh. The family's internal squabbles are played against a backdrop of federal intrigue, as the FBI works overtime to nail Tommie and her family on charges of racketeering and drug trafficking. But just when it looks like the jig is up thanks to the testimony of a local doctor, Tommie saves herself by threatening to reveal a few unsavory secrets about a few highly placed male individuals. The real-life Jeannette Maier acted as the film's technical advisor, insisting in press releases that she and her mother ran a "clean, tight, business" and that the FBI's charges were so much applesauce (it is clear where the filmmakers' sympathies lie in those scenes wherein the Feds are shown wiretapping the ladies' business when they should be concentrating on capturing the terrorist perpetrators of 9/11). The Madam's Family debuted October 31, 2004 on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
During rehearsals with David Schwimmer for The Producers, Larry (Larry David) finds out that Schwimmer's father runs the Health-Glo mixed nut company. Larry has some ideas for the company, but Schwimmer advises him to "stay in your element." Later, Larry goes out to get some snacks with Steve (Patrick Bristow), the choreographer, and comes across some Health-Glo cashew-raisin packages that are pretty skimpy with the cashews. Naturally, he has to say something to Schwimmer about it. When Larry describes an attractive woman as "fierce," Jeff (Jeff Garlin) suggests that Larry has been spending so much time working on the show that he's turned into Steve, the gay choreographer. Larry's dirty locker, his mistaking a Norwegian club employee, Sven (Erik Stolhanske) for a Swede, and some truly questionable behavior at Leo Funkhouser's funeral combine to get him and Jeff ousted from their country club. Larry and Cheryl (Cheryl Hines) pretend to be right-wing Republican WASPs in order to get into a new country club, with Larry claiming that his hobbies are sailing and polo. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
Darren Star, the creator and principle writer behind such series as Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, and Sex and the City, offers a satiric look at his own medium in this situation comedy that offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the production of a youth-oriented prime-time soap opera. Hunter Fallow (Irene Molloy), the show's leading lady, is queen of the set and will go to any lengths to keep it that way, while Quentin King (Kohl Sudduth), her male counterpart, is a bit paranoid about his advancing age and the state of his hairline. William Ragsdale and Joely Fisher play Rob Fields and Hope Lustig, the show's producers, who have to keep their ego-driven cast happy while cranking out a show once a week. Grosse Pointe debuted on the WB network on September 22, 2000. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kyle Howard, Irene Molloy, (more)
Love, sex, fidelity, and the nearly endless variety of complications they can bring are played for laughs in this sophisticated comedy. Alan (Robert Mailhouse) is driving home on a dark and rainy night when he sees an attractive woman standing by the side of the road. He stops and offers her a ride; she accepts and immediately offers him fellatio for his troubles. Though Alan is married and has never cheated on his wife, he's not sure how to say no in this instance, but he doesn't get much of a chance to enjoy infidelity before he's interrupted by the police -- who inform him he's picked up a prostitute and he's under arrest. Several days later, Alan is trying to figure out how to get his wife Laura (Alison Eastwood) to take him back. His buddies Danny (Jonathan Silverman) and Brent (William Ragsdale) chide him for his naivete and advise him to stick by the old rationalization that oral sex isn't really sex. Meanwhile, Laura heads out for a night on the town with her friends Ally (Kimberly Williams) and Terianne (Jessica Lundy). Laura is thinking that adulterous turnabout might be fair play, Ally is mulling over her secret fantasy of becoming an exotic dancer, and Terianne is looking for a man who can help her with her problems in reaching an orgasm. The supporting cast includes Lauren Hutton as Laura's mother. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alison Eastwood, Robert Mailhouse, (more)
- 1998
In this TV sitcom, straight-arrow San Francisco history professor Porter Waide (William Ragsdale) is a widower raising eight-year-old Oscar (Justin Cooper). He has everything under control, but then his pro-football superstar brother Bobby (Sean O'Bryan) turns up. It seems Bobby's new multimillion-dollar contract has a stipulation requiring him to keep out of trouble by living with someone more responsible. Naturally, Bobby is still in a very big party-hearty mood, so sports agent Dena Draeger (Bess Meyer) is around to keep an eye on Bobby's activities. Premiered September 25, 1998 on ABC. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Ragsdale, Sean O'Bryan, (more)
- 1991
This is about as loosely based on the original Mary Shelley novel as you could ever get. A college experiment goes on to become REALLY Big Man on Campus--amazing the student body on the dance floor and on the football field. Get real! ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Ragsdale, Christopher Daniel Barnes, (more)
- 1991
- PG
Flamboyant window dresser Hollywood Montrose (Meshach Taylor) provides the link between this film and the original Mannequin after the departure of Kim Cattrall and Andrew McCarthy from the cast. Hollywood has now been promoted to the head of Prince & Company's Visual Display Department. He takes on a new assistant, Jason (William Ragsdale) who, in times past, was the dauphin of the kingdom of Hauptmann-Koenig. One thousand years ago, he lost his beloved Jessie (Kristy Swanson) when an evil sorcerer (Terry Kiser) turned her into a wooden icon, now known as the Enchanted Peasant Girl. As a tribute to Hauptmen-Koenig, the Enchanted Peasant Girl is being sent to Prince & Company for a window display. Jason awakens Jessie and the two get re-acquainted, having a millennium of things to catch up on. But the evil sorcerer, now reincarnated as Count Spretzle, arrives on the scene to take Jessie (and a prized necklace) and hop a flight for Bermuda, with Jason the only one who can stop him. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Ragsdale, Kristy Swanson, (more)
This horror-comedy sequel finds the teen protagonist of Fright Night being terrorized by the undead sister of the vampire he killed in the original film. Two years after the death of bloodsucker Jerry Dandridge, young Charley Brewster (William Ragsdale) has settled into life as a college student and rejected his former belief in the existence of vampires. Although he's busy pursuing the affections of determined coed Alex (Traci Lind), Charley soon falls under the spell of the mysterious and alluring Regine (Julie Carmen). Although everything about the woman screams vampire, her feminine charms -- and her claims of being nothing but an outlandish performance artist -- lead Charley to become her unwilling servant. Torn between Regine's enchantments and his loyalty to Traci, the youth again looks for help from Peter Vincent (Roddy McDowall), the washed-up horror-show host who assisted him in the first film. Soon, Charley, Peter, and Traci are facing off against a coven of picturesque bloodsuckers led by Regine, who reveals herself to be the ancient sister of Jerry Dandridge. Directed and co-written by John Carpenter colleague Tommy Lee Wallace, Fright Night Part 2 includes a co-writing credit for Pretty Woman scribe Stephen Metcalfe and cinematography from Mark Irwin, who has worked with everyone from David Cronenberg to the Farrelly brothers. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roddy McDowall, William Ragsdale, (more)
Produced for PBS' American Playhouse series, Smooth Talk was given a brief theatrical release before its "official" February 9, 1987 TV debut. Laura Dern plays a teenager anxious to experience the pleasures of sexual contact. Left alone in the family summer cottage when her mother (Mary Kay Place), father (Levon Helm) and sister (Elizabeth Berridge) go shopping, Dern decides to wander into town for male companionship. She makes the acquaintance of Treat Williams, a handsome if mildly psychotic type who identifies himself as "A. Friend" and behaves like James Dean. When she returns home, Dern is bewildered and dishevelled. We can only speculate as to whether or not she was raped by Williams; we do know that she isn't the same person we met at the beginning of the film. Smooth Talk was based on a 1970 short story by Joyce Carol Oates entitled "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Treat Williams, Laura Dern, (more)
A teenage horror film addict is shocked to discover that his new next-door neighbor is a vampire in this delightful mix of horror and comedy. The problems only grow for young Charley Brewster (William Ragsdale) when he expresses his thoughts about fanged new neighbor Jerry Dandridge (Chris Sarandon). His girlfriend, Amy (Amanda Bearse), thinks Charley is avoiding their relationship issues, his single mom thinks Dandridge (Chris Sarandon) could be a potential boyfriend, and his buddy "Evil" (Stephen Geoffreys) just thinks Charley's losing it. Worst of all, Dandridge and his nasty assistant, Billy Cole (Jonathan Stark), are on to Charley's wild notions -- and have plans to pay him a late-night visit to silence him. With no one to help him, Charley turns to the one man he knows has faced the wrath of the undead and lived, the fearless vampire killer Peter Vincent (Roddy McDowall). A washed-up actor who has just been fired from his job as the host of a late-night horror show, Vincent is not about to believe in the rantings of an impressionable teen. However, lured by Amy's cash offer, he agrees to help her convince Charley that Dandridge isn't a vampire. There is just one problem: Dandridge is a vampire and when Amy falls under his evil spell, its up Charley and Peter to drive a stake through their potential romance. ~ Patrick Legare, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chris Sarandon, William Ragsdale, (more)
